Message Board : Short Handed Limit - QQ in a tough spot

Do a check raise and see how he reacts. My first thought was to bet straight out of the gate to get info, but I doubt a sinlge raise would make it clear or not of where you stand.

A check raise is another story. Since your BB buddy is passive, maybe he'll give it away and raise again. Also, you can now tell if the SB has something or not if he calls two cold. If he stays in, you are probally beat also and you can dump it on the turn. Better to spend 2 small bets now than lose 2+ big ones later.

If your read is correct and he is very passive and doesn't bluff or semibluff, then the decision is of course clear: your chances are really bad, and you are better of folding right here. So the discussion is more about whether your read is ok

I think it depends a little bit on how good he plays postflop.

If he has flopped trips he would do better to let you bet, SB call and raise then. So it might be a bluff. A paired board is good for such a bluff, he risks one SB to win 6 SB. 

If he would be more aggressive he should play trips as he did for protection against the flush draw or possible gutshots/OESD. 

However he could also easily bet a draw with QJ or a flushdraw.

So in a usual situation I would raise here, assuming I have a good chance to have the best hand and protect against SB. But again, if he is really that passive I would fold.